are refurbished phones worth it?

[blacksocks33]

My iPhone is on its last legs and I need a new one!
I really don't want a phone contractor but the cost of a new phone is 🫨😵
Looking at the Apple refurbished phones. They have a brand new battery and shell, 1 year warranty etc etc.
has anyone bought refurbished before? Is it worth it?

My DD got one a year ago. Looked good as new and working perfectly.

I have always got my iPhones refurbished from Music Magpie. Only had a problem once when it wouldn't sync. But they replaced it immediately without issue. I would never buy brand new% complete waste of money.

I have one from Apple. The first one I got, the front camera didn't work so I couldn't do anything with Face ID. I took it to the Apple Store, they looked at it, couldn't fix it, so gave me another one (refurbished) on the spot. I've had it 2.5 years now and still works great.

I brought a refurbished iPhone from Apple. Was a little skeptical buying a refurbished one, but honestly cannot tell a single difference. It’s about 2.5 years old now and never had any issues with it. Will never go back to buying an iPhone brand new and full price now

I don't see why not. I got a refurbished MacBook from the Apple Store and I've had it for years now with no problems at all.

The last phone I bought new was an iPhone 4, had refurbs for me and the kids ever since.

Stick to a reputable company like music magpie or backmarket and you can’t go wrong.

I always buy the lowest grade of refurb as it always goes straight in a case anyway and I’ve never been disappointed.

I normally pay £300-£400 for a “new to us” handset and replace them after around 3-4 years unless my son loses his again so they end up costing less than the equivalent of £10/month.

In my opinion it’s worth springing the extra for one with a new battery.

Bought a couple for kids from GiffGaff and one from CeX - they have been absolutely fine. All described as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good condition’, maybe 2-3 models behind whatever the current one was and less than £300.

We got them from a local guy who has a shop and great reputation. I went in and said I was looking for 2 iPhone 8s (in 2021) for £200 each max. He found them and I bought them. Dtds still have them. We went for the 8s because Face ID isn’t ideal for identical twins.

I always get ours from CeX. Really good, and you get a guarantee too.

DH and I have both had several phones over the years from backmarket, No issues at all. Not Apple though. Their phone grading is fair, good and excellent. I've bought their 'fair' grade and couldn't even see a mark on it! Obviously each phone is different, and if you use a cover it makes no difference anyways if there is a tiny scratch/mark at the back.
I normally read the phone reviews/comparisons on backmarket or on tech radar to narrow down a model to choose.

I bought my pixel 6 from music magpie and it was pristine when it arrived. Still going strong nearly 2yrs later. I'm looking to upgrade it but unsure whether to stick with pixel or go to an iPhone for the first time ever. I'll be looking at music magpie first before I look at Tesco's deals

Thank you all!
I have had a browse online and there's lots of great deals. What's steering me to Apple is that they replace the battery and battery casing with all refurbished models, whereas most other places offer the servicing and not a guaranteed battery replacement 🤷🏼‍♀️

I only ever buy refurbished phones

I've never had a new phone. Never had one break down before it was killed I don't think. Occasionally get batteries changed. Eventually the iOS doesn't update any more.

Always get refurbished for me & dds, iPhones usually from CEX, have had grade C & B ones mainly - all have worked perfectly. C ones have some cosmetic scratches, B can too but very minimal.

Backmarket defo give the option to buy one with a replacement battery. I think giffgaff do too now. Certainly the last couple I’ve bought I’ve paid extra for replacement batteries when I purchased them.

I have bought 2 refurbed iphones in the past from The ioutlet. I selected a new battery with each one.

They grade each phone and clearly show any defects etc. Both phones have worked fine.

Yes, use Cex or a reputable eBay seller. I've been doing this for years and haven't had a problem yet.

I got my phone refurbished on eBay from a seller with hundreds of great reviews. Highest grade, was still less than half price of a new one. It was flawless and I've had no problems with it since I got it a year ago.

This

I hate buying new phones - I usually wait for a hand-me-down and am often about 10yrs behind everyone else! Recently I bought a a Refurbished iPhone 12 from Apple, and opted for the new battery option. It works absolutely beautifully, battery lasts ages - only need to charge it every other day!

I had a shit 3rd party seller on Amazon for dud phone, refused to refund but Amazon sorted it refunded and let me keep the phone ( works on wifi for web just couldn't make/ hear calls so one of the kids happily kept it)

So buy through a reputable marketplace like Amazon or eBay is my recommendation

I would not buy a refurb phone or s/h pc. Who knows what it might have been used for in the past.

That said I don't have an Apple addiction so my phones cost about 1/5th of the price.

Way would it matter what it had been used for in the past? Does anyone use their phone for a purpose that would mean it would somehow unsavoury for someone else to use it.

You know that all makes of phone are cheaper if you buy refurbished, its not an iPhone only service

I can't remember exactly when I got my non iPhone refurbished phone but it was pre COVID and much cheaper than a new one, still works fine apart from battery life but that's a given

Just got my mum one from Apple, all good so far